The Virginia Aquarium offers a fun environment and enthusiastic educators to help your troop earn badges or patches. “Sleep with the fishes” at an overnight, or just spend part of the day exploring the Aquarium. Our badge programs emphasize hands-on, experiential learning for your troop. Search for wildlife along the nature trail or learn the art of leaf rubbing.
Programs
Spend 2-3 hours after school or on the weekend to earn a patch or badge. Choose from the following programs:
Girl Scouts
Making the World a Better Place – For Sea Turtles (Daisy Girl Scouts; 1hr.)
Learn about threats to sea turtles and what you can do to help! Hear the story of Kermit and build your very own Trash Talking Turtle. This program coincides with the Girl Scout Rosie Petal.
Household Elf (Brownie Girl Scouts; 3 hrs.)
Explore ways you can save energy, water, and the planet! Make crafts, do activities, and learn about making your home Green! This program meets the requirements for the skill building Household Elf Badge.
Wonders of Water (Brownie Girl Scouts; 3 hrs.)
Come explore water at the Virginia Aquarium! Play games, do a craft, and learn about the Wonders of Water. This program is designed to help Brownies along their WOW journey.
Animal Habitats (Junior Girl Scouts; 3hrs.)
Explore different homes of animals while doing crafts and activities. Learn how to protect the homes of animals. This program meets the requirements of the skill building Animal Habitats Badge.
Water (Ambassador Girl Scouts, 3 hrs.)
Learn about your relationship with water through this exciting program. This program meets the requirements for the skill building Water Badge.
Explore Sea Turtles (Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador; 3hrs.)
Learn all about sea turtles through this interactive program. This program meets the requirements for the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast Explore Sea Turtle Patch.
Marine Technology (Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Girl Scouts; Webelos, Boy Scouts; 3 hrs.)
Learn how scientists explore the ocean using technology. Build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and research buoy.
Explore the Virginia Aquarium Patch (Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Girl Scouts; on your own)
Come spend a day at the Aquarium earning the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast’s very own Explore the Virginia Aquarium Patch. Requirements can be downloaded from the GSCCC website. This program is designed as an “on your own” program. (No Program fee. Admission costs apply)
Cub Scouts
Leaves and Trees (Tiger Scout; 1hr.)
Learn the importance of plants and trees and make a leaf rubbing to take home! This program fulfils requirement 5D of the Tiger Cub Program.
Hike Outdoors! (Tiger Scout; 1 hr.)
Explore the Virginia Aquarium’s nature trail! Go on a hike with your den and an experienced guide. Find wild animals, and play a nature game. This program fulfils requirement 5G of the Tiger Cub Program.
Your Living World (Wolf Scout; 3 hrs.)
Come earn this Wolf Scout Achievement at the Virginia Aquarium. Learn how to be stewards of natural resources through interactive activities and games. This program includes a small service project and fulfils all requirements for Wolf Achievement # 7.
Sharing Your World with Wildlife (Bear Scout; 3 hrs.)
Come earn this Bear Scout Achievement at the Virginia Aquarium. Meet a Virginia endangered species, participate in activities, games, and crafts that will complete the requirements for this achievement.
Naturalist (Webelo Scout; 3 hrs.)
Predators, venomous snakes, and poison ivy, Oh My! Learn about venomous snakes and plants in your area and how to avoid and identify them. Play activities to learn about food webs and how to be an observer of nature. This program meets the requirements of the Webelos Naturalist Badge.
Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop (Tiger Scout, Wolf Scout, Bear Scout, Webelo Scout; 3 hrs.)
Come learn about the importance of wildlife conservation. This program fulfils the requirements for the Wildlife Conservation Academic Belt Loop
Science Belt Loop (Tiger Scout, Wolf Scout, Bear Scout, Webelo Scout; 3 hrs.)
Come participate in hands-on experiments and learn about the scientific method. This program fulfils the requirements for theScience Academic belt loop
Marine Technology (Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Girl Scouts; Webelos, Boy Scouts; 3 hrs.)
Learn how scientists explore the ocean using technology. Build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and research buoy.
Boy Scouts
Environmental Science I (Boy Scout; 3 hrs)
Come complete this Eagle required merit badge at the Virginia Aquarium. Conduct experiments, play games, and do hands-on activities that fulfill requirements for this Merit Badge!
Environmental Science II (Boy Scout; 3 hrs)
Come complete this Eagle required merit badge at the Virginia Aquarium. Conduct experiments, play games, and do hands-on activities that fulfill requirements for this Merit Badge!
Oceanography I (Boy Scout; 3 hrs)
Come complete this elective merit badge at the Virginia Aquarium. Conduct experiments, play games, and do hands-on activities that fulfill requirements for this Merit Badge!
Oceanography II (Boy Scout; 3 hrs)
Come complete this elective merit badge at the Virginia Aquarium. Conduct experiments, play games, and do hands-on activities that fulfill requirements for this Merit Badge!
Marine Technology (Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Girl Scouts; Webelos, Boy Scouts; 3 hrs.)
Learn how scientists explore the ocean using technology. Build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and research buoy.
Looking for more? We may be able to customize a program to meet your badge needs and can also schedule a boat experience for your group. Contact the Program Coordinator for more information about customizing a program to meet your badge or patch needs.
Day Program Fee:
$90 per program (3 hrs, for up to 25 scouts), $60 per program (1 hr, for up to 25 scouts), plus Group Admission ($8 per scout; $10 per adult)
Overnights
Spend a night at the Aquarium! Meet our Animal Ambassadors, conduct scientific experiments, play nature-based games, and make crafts to take home. Each overnight program focuses on requirements from a selected badge. Reservations and pre-payment are required. Visit the overnights page for more information.
Special Projects
Is your troop or pack looking for a service project? Do you know a Scout looking for a Silver, Gold, or Eagle Scout Project? Your Scouts can help Aquarium educators with special events, trail clean ups, craft stations, overnight programs, or take the lead in building displays for programs. Contact the Program Coordinator for more details.
Outreach to Scout Meetings
The Virginia Aquarium can come to you for a program at your troop meeting. For more information, programs and prices, or to make a reservation, contact the Program Coordinator.